The appeal and reputation of Area 88: The dramatic story of a fighter pilot

Area 88 - A tale of souls racing through the skies of the battlefield

Area 88 was released as an OVA in 1985, and was based on a manga by Shintani Kaoru. The OVA was released by King Records, and although it is short, it is packed with content, with 3 episodes and a total time of 51 minutes. It was directed by Toriumi Nagayuki, animated by Studio Pierrot, and produced by Project 88 and Studio Pierrot. This work is a story of the souls of pilots who race through the skies of the battlefield, and its tense and dramatic developments have captivated many fans.

story

Area 88 is set in a mercenary base called "Area 88" in the fictional Middle Eastern country of "Athrun Kingdom." The protagonist, Kanzaki Shin, is sent to Area 88 as a mercenary pilot, a complete change of career from his job as an airline pilot, due to a scheme by his friend Saeki Kyoichi. To survive and earn money to return home, Shin throws himself into life-threatening battles every day.

Area 88 depicts a harsh environment where mercenaries of various nationalities gather and help each other, but also compete and betray each other at times. Shin fights alongside his comrades in this environment, and grows as a person. Another major axis of the story is Shin's fighting while dreaming of reuniting with his girlfriend, Miura Ryoko.

character

Shin Kanzaki: The protagonist. He was originally an airline pilot, but was sent to Area 88 due to a plot by his friend. He has high piloting skills and fights alongside his comrades, but he dreams of returning home.

Kyoichi Saeki: Shin's friend and the president of an airline company. He is the one who stole Shin's girlfriend Ryoko and sent Shin to Area 88. He has a ruthless personality and appears in the story as someone who prevents Shin from returning home.

Ryoko Miura: Shin's lover. After Shin is sent to Area 88, she marries Saeki. While she keeps her feelings for Shin in her heart, she is portrayed struggling with the conflict with reality.

Mickey Simon: A mercenary from Area 88. A veteran pilot from the United States, he mentors and supports Shin. He is an important character who teaches Shin the harshness of the battlefield with a touch of humor.

Saki: A mechanic at Area 88. A woman who maintains and supports Shin and his friends' fighter planes. She has a strong will and kindness, and is a source of emotional support for the mercenaries.

Animation and performance

The Area 88 OVA is characterized by high-quality animation by Studio Pierrot. The battle scenes in particular are visually striking, with realistic fighter plane movements and detailed depictions of explosions. Director Toriumi Nagayuki's direction also skillfully conveys the tension of the battlefield and the emotions of the characters, drawing the viewer into the story.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of Area 88. The music for the OVA was composed by Koichi Sakata, and effectively conveys the tension of the battle scenes and the emotions of the characters. In particular, the opening theme "Area 88" is known as a masterpiece that symbolizes the harshness of the battlefield and Shin's determination.

Comparison with the original

Area 88 is originally a manga by Kaoru Shintani, which was serialized in Big Comic Spirits from 1979 to 1986. The original work details Shin's growth, the human relationships in Area 88, and realistic depictions of the battlefield, and some of these are visualized in the OVA.

The OVA is a condensed version of the essence of the original work, with particular emphasis on Shin's growth, his bonds with his comrades, and the harshness of the battlefield. However, the original work contains many episodes and character backgrounds that are not depicted in the OVA, allowing you to enjoy a deeper story. By reading the original work, you can experience the characters' feelings and realistic depictions of the battlefield that you cannot feel in the OVA.

Evaluation and impact

Area 88 has been highly praised since it was released as an OVA, especially for the realistic depiction of the battle scenes and the character development. The depiction of the harshness of the battlefield and the human relationships deeply moved viewers and created many fans.

Area 88's influence also extended to the anime industry. In particular, it had a major impact on works set on the battlefield and those depicting fighter planes, and its style has been passed down to later works. The success of Area 88 also demonstrated the potential of the new medium of OVA, and had a major impact on the production of later OVA works.

Recommendations and related works

Area 88 is recommended for those who enjoy the harshness of the battlefield and depictions of human relationships, and for those who are interested in fighter planes and aerial combat. You can also experience a deeper story by reading the original manga.

The following works are related to Area 88:

• "Ace Combat" series : A series of action games in which players control fighter planes. Like Area 88, you can enjoy the stories of pilots racing through the skies of the battlefield.
• "Top Gun" : A movie about the training and battles of fighter pilots. Like Area 88, you can enjoy the realistic depiction of fighter planes and the growth of pilots.
• "Gullwing" : A manga about fighter planes. Like Area 88, it depicts the harshness of the battlefield and the growth of pilots.

summary

Area 88 is a story about the souls of pilots racing through the skies of the battlefield, and its tension and dramatic development have captivated many fans. It has been highly praised since it was released as an OVA, especially for the realistic depiction of the battle scenes and the character growth. You can also experience a deeper story by reading the original manga. Area 88 is recommended for those who want to enjoy the harshness of the battlefield and depictions of human relationships, and for those who are interested in fighter planes and air combat.